ONDC Network - A Blessing For Shopify Sellers?

While Shopify made it easy for SMBs to go online, it's not all hunky-dory for Shopify sellers in India. Although you can quickly create a functional e-store with Shopify, the apps-based platform does pose distinct challenges that can be limiting for SMBs. From limited traffic to a lack of technical assistance to naive sellers, Shopify vendors frequently encounter various pain points.

Fortunately, all of that is about to change! Wonder how?

Introducing ONDC network - The GoI-backed novel initiative to democratize eCommerce in India. The not-for-profit, open network aims to provide equal access to growth opportunities to all sellers and SMEs, including Shopify-based merchants.

Let’s delve deeper and understand how.

ONDC network - A bonafide game changer for pan-India Shopify merchants

Open Network is here to make online selling a much easier task for an Indian eCommerce seller. Take a regular Shopify merchant, for example. In addition to updating the eCommerce storefront at regular intervals, he must also devise a strategy to widen his target audience. ONDC network solves the biggest hurdle that every eCommerce merchant has to tackle at one point or another - Poor or limited visibility.

By registering on the ONDC network, Shopify sellers can make their brand discoverable to pan-India buyers. ONDC network brings sellers, customers, and logistics providers on a common digital platform tailormade for seamless communication.

Small Shopify sellers have traditionally been limited to catering to only a finite number of buyers, but ONDC network promises to reverse this trend. Let’s delve a little deeper to understand the various hiccups from a Shopify merchant’s perspective and how they can be mitigated by adopting ONDC network.

5 Major pain points of Shopify merchants (and why ONDC network is the solution to them)

1. How to increase traffic/visibility of your Shopify Store

Being discoverable amidst a crowd of established sellers is a major stumbling block for Shopify merchants. It’s no rocket science that SMBs need to showcase their brand across as many channels as possible. Although paid marketing and offline advertisement help to an extent, they also cost a fortune and aren’t a long-term solution to finding genuine customers.

By listing on ONDC network through a comprehensive solution like Mystore, vendors can widen their store’s reach to millions of pan-India customers. As ONDC network builds a nationwide space, your business will be automatically scaled to reach customers far beyond your local bubble.

2. Large upfront costs to get started

Recently, Shopify has become notorious for being an expensive platform. While the basic monthly plan is $29 per month, the annual cost of just keeping a store live comes to $348, add to it the cost of paid ads etc. to warm up the store for visibility and footfalls. That is quite a considerable sum for many and, mind you; there could be hardly any sales in the initial months. For SMBs, this can be a burden rather than helping them add an additional sales channel. Naturally, not every Indian seller would find that financially worthwhile. Also, why pay any sum when you can pay zero upfront costs to get your eCommerce store up and running?

That’s right. Shopify sellers on ONDC network can sign up on Mystore seller app at ZERO upfront or subscription fees. Many SMBs and startups often operate on razor-thin budgets. ONDC network allows them the flexibility to accentuate their profit margins whilst leveraging Mystore’s state-of-the-art dashboard functionalities for better sales outcomes.

3. Complicated store setup for added functionalities

You might have to install a third-party application if you’re expecting any out-of-the-box solution to be added to your existing Shopify store. Doing so has a domino effect on your store’s performance as store optimisation is complicated (especially without a technical staff), costly, and may even slow down your website.

However, with an ONDC network-connected solution like Mystore, merchants can migrate their entire product catalogue from Shopify to ONDC network in minutes! Also, launching a new, fully-functional eCommerce store is a breeze. Have an active business and a GSTIN number? Congratulations, you can register on ONDC network with Mystore and start selling immediately.

4. Lack of payment options and complex tax compliance

One of the primary reasons behind "Shopping cart abandonment" is Shopify's lack of flexible payments when using the basic plan. One surefire way to boost your customer experience is by letting them purchase an item using their preferred payment method. 

Good thing is that ONDC network provides multiple payment options onboard for buyers’ convenience. Shopify Channel Integration with Mystore allows you to seamlessly add multiple payment options to your store. 

That's right. Integrating Shopify with ONDC network makes it easier to track sales & revenues whilst giving your buyers the convenience of purchasing through their preferred payment methods. Not only that, Mystore offers extensive features to simplify tax compliance, invoicing, and billing for sellers. Its built-in tax engine automates GST tax calculation and creates GST-compliant invoices for Shopify sellers automatically. Shopify lacks these in-built solutions and needs multiple apps to achieve tax invoicing. 

5. Shopify doesn’t offer in-built logistics support

Effective logistics is a huge part of any eCommerce venture’s success. Shopify doesn’t offer integrated logistics solutions, making it incredibly hard for merchants to package and ship products in a timely and secure manner. Sellers have to search for a professional logistics partner and end up paying a huge upfront cost for their services.

But on the ONDC network, you will exclusively deal with certified on-network logistics partners approved and regulated by ONDC network. Sellers can easily connect with them - no intermediaries, no obstacles; and streamline their entire supply chain. Mystore helps you find your preferred logistics partner across the open network and use their expertise to boost your order fulfilment capabilities.

Conclusion

Operating a Shopify store on your own can be overwhelming and confusing. Also, spending significant time on store customisations and inventory management will hinder your ability to handle your core business. The Shopify pain points discussed above (and several more) serve as a roadblock for Indian sellers who want to become digitally active.

Integrating Shopify with ONDC network helps you optimise your product, sales, and business management potential for a nominal commission fee. Mystore is the first ONDC network-connected marketplace of its kind and lets you connect your existing Shopify store to leverage ONDC network’s benefits. This freedom allows local vendors to come up and offer competitive services to a broader audience.

Mystore lets you create your D2C storefront in multiple languages (to help attract customers from diverse geographies), thus creating a better relationship with the local community. Vendors can connect with their preferred on-network delivery and logistics providers, giving them complete control over business dealings. Also, Mystore is enriched with built-in tools for sellers who manage different locations and platforms from one single seller account.

Using Mystore’s advanced migration tool, you can import your entire Shopify catalogue quickly and securely - no hidden costs, no manual input. So, integrate your Shopify with ONDC network using Mystore's advanced solutions to take your online business to the next level. Thousands of independent sellers and SMBs are accelerating their digital journey through Mystore, and so can you. Don't miss out – sign up today!